TE TROUBLE
Comments
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went to the PS yesterday, my incision opened up even more but he still doesn't want to take me back into surgery. I am now packing wound wet to dry to see if it will help. Also being tested to see if I am diabetic. I am using gauze, abd pads and an ace wrap for my dressing. My hole is about the size of a toy football. Its pretty intimidating but I have faith it will heal. Thank you all for your encouragements. Hugs to all.0 -
purple - oh geez - I wish this could be over for you - packing is a bit scary! Testing blood sugar is probably a good idea, it might explain the non-healing. I will be thinking about you! Keep us posted.0 -
Purple - hugs and hope for faster healing.0 -
ah purple. Praying really hard. I dont know whether to hope you have diabetes just so you know whats happening or not. I pray you dont. That is not a lot of fun either. Im type 2 and the steroids do horrible things to blood sugar. Just heal, ok? Hugs to you.
Much love to all.0 -
SpecialK I am way ahead of u and requested blood work to check to see if I am diabetic. I hope I am not but at this point I just want some answers to why I'm not healing. I am so ready for this to be over.0 -
Ever thought of seeing a wound specialist or at least getting a second opinion? I'm afraid for you.0 -
purple, just day by day.
I had another 2 units of magnesium today and also had a fill. Did another 100 fill in each. Boy do I know its there. Had to take an extra pain pill today. I think tomorrow will be rough. I have two weeks before my next fill. PS is on vacation. Then we'll do 50 in each. But he thinks I can exchange this year yet. We actually picked a date. Im still afraid to hope though. It will be 2 years 1 week since my BMX if I actually get it done then. I want to jump up and down for joy, but maybe in a couple of days! LOL!!!
Much love to all.0 -
Purple: A second opinion isn't a bad idea. Based on where I know you are, why not go see Dr. Eric Maus in your Wound Care/Lymphedema center. He is marvelous and only a few steps away. Jan0 -
Sending healing vibes your way, Purple. Things have to get better. I agree, another opinion is not a bad idea.0 -
Purple You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong young lady, we are all behind you 1000%. God speed to fast healing for you.0
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Purple-thinking of you and sending healing gentle (((HUGS)))!
Moon-Feeling your pain, but knowing you are finally going for it is sooo exciting, can't imagine 2 yrs of this! You are the strongest person with such a great attitude, but I agree, no jumping for now!LOL.0 -
Moon - I agree w/Mama. Two years!!!. Let us know when you finalize the date and we'll all keep our collective fingers crossed.0 -
moon - when you finally get through all this I feel like we should throw you a party!0 -
thanks ladies. 3TTC X 3! LOL Third times the charm X 3 . LOL
just got a look in the mirror as I changed. Hahahaha.... basketball city! OMG. um think I gonna be more than a C when im finished . Also took another little pain pill. May take a big one tomorrow. I feel this on on my right side more. But righty was lazy these 22 months and just sat there. Now its got to work. Its not happy.... LOL0 -
Moon,
You are going to get there this time. If anyone deserves it, it's you. For your party, I'll stop by my neighborhood Mexican restaurant and bring enchiladas and margaritas for everyone. We know how to party in San Antonio. Viva Moon. I'll bring a piñata too.0 -
well it better be a BIG party!!! LOL. My PS said pick a mid December date for tada!!!! EXCHANGE!!!!! Afraid to even think about it but gotta take a leap of faith. I hope for him to remove my port too. Scary and a big leap of faith to plan this stuff. Much love.0 -
moonflower so excited for you, you've been thru a rough time thru this journey and deserve a successful exchange!0
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Yeah, Moonflower. I hope this all works out for you. I haven't been hanging around here very long, but I get the impression you have been through way to much, and it's time for you to catch a break.0 -
Thank you ladies....I appreciate all ur prayers and encouragements. Got word....no diabetes for me. I am just a horrible healer.
Moon....I am so excited for you. I will say extra prayers for you....keep the faith my friend.0 -
purple I am glad no diabetes. So eat more protien. And Take it easy. We'll be praying. Some of the people that packed wounds are likely to check in at some point. But the good thing to know is they healed and went on
Goldie, yes, lots if scenic detours on my "journey" LOL two years worth. So happy to get on the express train for once!
Thanks for all the good wishes. I still wont believe it till they are setting me up on the OR table! LOL
Much love.0 -
Hi Ladies,
I had my TE put in March 2013 at the same time as my MS. Since that time I have had pain and discomfort almost nonstop. My TE seems so high and underneath my right arm; it interferes with everything from using my arm to sleeping. My PS was putting in 100CCs every two weeks. When he got to 700, I left his office with so much pain on a Thursday--that by Friday I had trouble breathing, walking and driving. I felt something cutting across the bottom of my chest at the bottom margin of the TE-- each movement I made. Made an emergency call to him over the weekend and he had me come in and took out 50CCs. He then gave me a longer intervention of 5 weeks to come back for the next fill. When I went back he gave me another 100Ccs. My blood pressure had spiked and I've had to add 3 new meds to keep it in check. Meanwhile I still have lots of pressure on the side of the TE and my rib cage is extremely sore. By coincidence, I look at the back of my TE card and it stated 500CCs. So when I was at my PS last week, I ask him why I had 750CCs already and the TE card only stated 500ccs. He stated that the TEs could take at least 3 times the amount stated before they broke. I was distressed and told him I did not want another fill. He said that meant I would have to have a smaller implant and reduction on the other side. I said that would be okay. Has anyone heard of this? I believe it is the size of the TE that is causing it to cut across my inner chest. Especially since this is the bottom edge of the TE. I do not know if I can take it until November 26 the time of my exchange. Also my arm has frozen with extreme pain at least 3 times this last month which took hours before the pain ceased and I could move my arm normally. I've had to use Vicodin and Tylenol to control the pain most days.0 -
dwill, I am so sorry for you TE pain. They are just horrible. I had a bmx and have them in both sides. I am only expanded to 500cc and I am miserable. I keep being promised all the discomfort will go away at exchange,etc. The bigger they expand you the more uncomfortable you will be. I am so sorry. Hang in there. You don't have much more time to go. I only want to be a full B cup. I don't know what size you are aiming for, but whether you were going to have a reduction, or not on the other side, you would still need some kind of lift for it to match the implant side.0 -
dwill - just wanted you to know that overfill of TE is really common, mine were filled 100cc beyond the stated TE volume, so don't be too worried about your PS doing something that is out of the norm. TE are chosen based on your frame - they have a height and width measurement, as well as a volume. That said, it does not mean that the level of pain you are experiencing is normal though, so that is a separate issue.0 -
dwill so sorry you are in pain. I have large TEs and my last fill put me at 700.. it hurt. I have a pain on my left side of the TE and only by putting my hand on the pain can I take a deep breath. I DID THE FOLLOWING AND I CAN TAKE THAT BREATH NOW BUT IT HURTS A BIT INSTEAD OF A LOT. So see if you can do that. If the pain goes away with your hand in that place give a little push take your hand away and then see if its better. It might just be at a real bad spot. It might workbuntil you can get more help. Also if you got alloderm I had to do exactly that for a couple of weeks until that settled in. Much love.0 -
Ladies, I've been off the boards for a couple of weeks, back on tonight before another busy spell for me.
Dwill: If you are in that much pain, stop the fills! I had mucho trouble with healing and protracted TE experience. One side was filled 350cc's at time of MX and only received one 50cc fill (total: 400ccs); other side had 350ccs at MX, tried to heal for 5 months, TE removed and nothing in that side for another 5 months, then new TE put in with 250 cc's and only one 50cc fill (total: 300 cc's) and at exchange I received 500cc implants. SO please do not suffer! Fill only to what you can handle. Listen to your body.
Purple: OMG that is a big wound. How is the packing going? Any healing progress? I concur with the ladies above, 100g's of protein daily is essential! I keep a high-protein list in my blog archive, you can find it here: http://thebigcandme.blogspot.com/2012/03/high-protein-food-list.html I agree it's hard to get that much protein a day, hard to watch your weight while doing so (and while recovering you can't be very physically active, so a double whammy), but as my PS told me while I was healing (***this is important***): Now is NOT the time to diet! Eat your protein, veggies and fruit. Cut back on the carbs. That is about all you can do.
Everyone, healing hugs!! xo0 -
Thanks ladies for reassuring me about the TE. Every friend I asked-did not know the answer. special k, glad to hear that the PS can overfill the TEs. moon flower, goldie, I was a C cup; but at this time I'll go for a B cup. Many times when I am hurting while walking I do take my hand and hold the TE stable. It does tend to hurt less. If I fall asleep and end up on the either side; I think the TE migrates because I will wake up in loads of pain. Ok rennusus, I have stop the fills. I am just going to have confidence that 750CCs are going to be enough for a B cup. I really don't need big boobs. Okay so what is better the silicone implants or the Gummy Bear implant? My PS said I could get the gummy bear implants.0
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dwill - go to the implant 101 thread linked below and get some advice on implants from the ladies there - they are the experts. Read the header of the thread and supply the info.
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/746448?page=295#post_37423860 -
dwill-We were March surgery sisters! You are in the right place for all the advice you can get about TEs! Hang in there, the fills are so uncomfortable, but all will be worth it upon exchange. I was so happy to send my TEs to the incinerator! I had my exchange almost 3 weeks ago, and love my silicone implants. I know many have the gummy bear implants and love them as well. Ask your PS the pros and cons for you and have them show you the implants and what they "feel" like. I didn't have a choice, due to the size needed, 800cc is the max for silicone. I am waiting for the "drop and fluff" stage. Still a little flat but very soft and comfortable. Feeling your pain, sending gentle ((hugs)) your way.0 -
Thought you all might find this interesting. Also, notice the expander they show at the beginning of the video is gummy bear shaped, not round.0 -
